Catch This!: Going Deep with the NFL's Sharpest Weapon

I wasn't sure, since I am not a football fan, how much I would like this book. I had seen Terrell Owens on televison and found him enjoyable. I liked him even more after I read this book. The book is a real page turner, I read it in a day and a half. I didn't always know who he was talking about, but I kept up reasonably well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in either terrell Owens or in what it is like to be a pro-football player.

Terrell Owens came off so well in this book. Here is a guy with spectacular football abilities, wealth and charisma, yet he comes off as down to earth and a well-grounded individual. I think it would be easy to criticise a big-time athlete and say that their books are self-serving and full of lies and half-truths but until one gets to actually be in their shoes and feel the pressures that they have to perform for us, we cannot grumble. Is TO a saint? No, I am sure he is difficult in the locker room and has (as he admits) his moods, but don't we all? A good read on an exciting athlete.

Anyone who thinks Terrell Owens is a typical spoiled, arrogant wide receiver cut from the same cloth as Randy Moss and Keyshawn Johnson needs to read this book. Reading his autobiography has given me a whole new perspective on one of the most controversial figures in the NFL. In Catch This!, Owens reveals himself as a god-fearing, hard-working man, tremendously loyal to his family, faith, and friends, and appreciative of what he has received on his quest to be a champion. Owens describes his strict upbringing in a financially strained family whose mother and grandmother found a way to get by working long hours at a factory in Alabama. Once Owens became focused on football, his tireless workout schedule (no steroids here!) in high school, the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and in the pros made him into the physical specimen that would dominate NFL defenses and headlines. Much of what he has gone through physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually during his rise to the top is detailed in this book. T.O. spares no punches when he tackles the main controversies of his career up to when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. The Dallas star, the Sharpie, the Greg Knapp blow-up, his relationship with Steve Mariucci and Jeff Garcia, and the contract mess preceding his trade to Philly are all told here in what appears to be frank honesty. When ESPN covered Owens' negotiations between the SF 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles, I thought at the time that T.O.'s agent must be incompetent to miss the deadline to void his client's contract. This book changed my mind. T.O. also clearly states his problems with Ozzie Newsome: "The next-to-last thing I wanted to do was holdout. The last thing I wanted to do was play for Ozzie Newsome" (p. 262). He also presents an interesting inside look at the 49ers organization and former teammates like Steve Young and his idol Jerry Rice (in fact, T.O. reveals a disagreement he has with some words of advice J.R. gave him, pg. 95). The only thing that bugs me about this book, and many T.O. interviews I've seen, is how Owens always tries to paint himself as the victim. He seems to come off as if he thinks he's the only one who gets hassled by the "No Fun League" and the media for his celebrations, and free attitude (I think New Orleans' Joe Horn received more negative press than he did after the cell phone incident). Owens' complaints about team meetings, studying film, and NFL fines for uniform violations may cause some readers to roll their eyes. T.O. does do an excellent job describing the difference in attitudes towards players between the NBA and the NFL (p. 5). He also gives exciting descriptions of the most pivotal games that help the reader relive some of the action of a few years ago. Anyone intrigued by Terrell Owens (positively or negatively) needs to read this book, especially 49er fans interested in his relationship with coach Mariucci, which is referred to here a lot.

The book is about how football star, Terrell Owens, had to go through many obstacles and pain to get where he is right now. When Terrell was a little kid, many people would always pick on him and make some racial remarks about him. After hearing through all this negativity about him, Terrell decided to train hard to become the best football player ever, and to make lots of money to provide for his family and let his mother retire from working in the factory. After playing well in college, Terrell got drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. After few years of backing up Jerry Rice, Terrell finally was a starting receiver for the 49ers and he made it to the Pro Bowl, where he was considered one of the elite players in the league. I would recommend this book for readers of all ages because I have learned what kind of person Terrell really is. Many sports writers and analysts think Terrell Owens is a bad figure to sports because he would always do celebrations after scoring a touchdown. I disagree with those people because I have learned that Terrell Owens is an honest person who cares for his family. I have learned that Terrell is a very religious person and he always cares for his grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease. I admire the fact that Terrell uses the negativity that surrounds him and uses it to his advantage to become the person that he is today.

"Catch This" is a well written and very enjoyable book about the life of Terrell Owens from when he was a little child living in a small town in Alabama with his Grandmother, Mother and Siblings and without a Father, up until his highly publicized move this year to the Philadelphia Eagles. You don't hear a pompous, selfish and immature individual that the media has portrayed Terrell Owens as, but rather a deeply religious, introspective, highly motivated and decent man, who has an extremely strong bond with his Family. Throughout this book Terrell Owens speaks honestly and from his heart as he shares his innermost struggles, and challenges in life. He describes what is was like for a very shy and sheltered child to be drafted by the most successful football franchise of the 80's, and play on a team with greatest wide receiver in the history of the game. He describes his highly publicized troubles with the 49ers and presents facts surrounding these events that the public was never privy to. He describes how his Family, faith in God, and a few close friends have always pulled him through the toughest times in his life. The mysteries of "T.O." are revealed in this book; such as the story behind his developing a powerful and sculptured physique, the roots of his very demanding training regiment, why he started his notorious touchdown celebrations, his quiet nature off the field, and what he wants out of the game. Has Terrell Owens notorious touchdown celebrations and sideline highlights caused the media and some of the public to show their distain towards him?, sure, but "Catch This" also shows a decent, honest, highly introspective and religious man who has worked his God given talents to take care of all those that are close to him, and offered them a life they could have only dreamed about. I found this book hard to put down. Its a really enjoyable read.